Anderson expects 'extra fire' against UGA

More action for USC's Lattimore

Oct. 5, 2012

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COLUMBIA — University of South Carolina tight end Rory Anderson, a native of Powder Springs, Ga., says it is practice as usual for the Gamecocks this week.

He admits Saturday’s Southeastern Conference Eastern Division game against nationally fifth ranked University of Georgia is more than just another game.

“We’ve got a lot of Georgia guys on the team,” said Anderson. “We are playing the home team so everybody is going to come ready to play. There will be a little extra fire.”

Anderson has made an impact on the Gamecock offense since enrolling a year ago. Although he started only two games and caught just eight passes as a freshman, two went for touchdowns with one coming against Clemson. He averaged 23.5 yards per catch.

He has built on that this season, catching seven passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns.

If Georgia stacks the box in an attempt to stop Gamecock tailback Marcus Lattimore, it could bring Anderson and senior tight end Justice Cunningham into play . That would be fine with Anderson.

“I never paid attention to the rivalry because it wasn’t as big until the last couple of years,” said Anderson. “Now it’s huge because it is either us or them in the SEC Championship. It is an (Eastern Division) game and we’ve got to come out ready to play.”

• South Carolina, which normally leans on the zone read attack on offense, switched to the ‘I’ formation for much of the second half against Kentucky. Although using his words carefully, junior tailback Marcus Lattimore admits he likes the formation.

“That’s something that definitely lends its hand to what he does best,” said USC running back coach Everette Sands. “We’re going to do what we do to get the ball in his hands. That is something we’ve talked about: ‘hey let’s get the ball to him and let him run downhill.”

• Georgia redshirt sophomore wide receiver Michael Bennett has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee according to UGA coach Mark Richt.

Bennett suffered the injury on the final play of Tuesday's practice. He will undergo reconstructive surgery. He is currently the team’s leading receiver with 24 catches for 345 yards and four touchdowns.

• Connor Shaw gives the company line ‘this is just another game’ answer when asked about Saturday’s game against Georgia. But Steve Spurrier relays a different opinion when talking about his starting quarterback.

“Yeah, Connor is fired up about playing against his home state university,” said Spurrier. “All the Georgia guys are like that, obviously. South Carolina players that play at Georgia get a little extra kick out of playing against their home state university.”

“Connor loves football,” said USC quarterbacks coach G. A. Mangus. “Connor likes playing every week. The hardest thing Connor had to deal with was when he didn’t play against East Carolina. In side I’m sure (he’s excited). He is from Hall County, Ga. It’s personal, but he just has to play against them.”